Zeke Jones / Digital TrendsEditor's note: The TVs on this list already offer incredible performance for the price, but this time of year that margin gets even better. Black Friday deals are here and will likely last through until December 2 (although there's no guarantee the TVs will stay in stock that long). There are great TV deals on our favorites, like the 55-inch Hisense U8N, which is 37% off for a take-home price of under $700.But it's not only TVs already on our Best under $1,000 list that are on sale. Last year's Samsung S90C, which has an MSRP of $2,600, would now fit on this list, as you can get it now for only $1,000. We think it's the best OLED for the money right now. The deals don't stop at TVs. Check out all the Black Friday deals available on headphones, mobile devices, laptops, and more.The best TVs deliver top-shelf picture quality, excellent motion clarity, smart TV content, and a boatload of other amazing features. While many of these premium TVs (from the likes of brands like Samsung, Sony, and LG) cost upwards of $1,000, thats not a hard rule. In fact, there are numerous LEDs, and even a handful of QLED models, that cost less than $1,000 and were not talking about 40-inch sets.Whether youre looking to save a buck on your new TV purchase, or you just blatantly refuse to pay more than $1,000 for a new living room set (more power to you), we put together this roundup of all the best TVs under $1,000 to help you on your quest for a new big screen.And while we wish we could say that the best OLED TVs can be had for less than $1,000, we're just not quite there yet.Hisense U8N ULEDOur favorite TV for under $1,000Jump to detailsTCL QM7 Series (2024)Best TCL for less than $1,000Jump to detailsHisense U7N ULEDA runner-up Hisense for less than $1,000Jump to detailsRoku Plus Series QLEDBest for Roku OS enthusiastsJump to detailsAmazon Fire TV Omni QLEDAffordable with Amazon Fire TV baked inJump to detailsSamsung Q60D QLEDA budget-friendly Samsung QLEDJump to detailsSony X80K LEDAlso considerJump to detailsRecommended VideosZeke Jones / Digital TrendsOur favorite TV for under $1,000Hisense U8N ULEDHisense U8N ReviewProsIntense brightnessDeep blacks/contrastVibrant, accurate colorGreat soundConsOverly bright HDRPoor off-angle viewingIt brings us great joy to be able to call Hisenses 2024 flagship our best overall pick for a TV that costs less than a grand. We had the opportunity to take the U8N Series for a spin not too long ago, and we were totally blown away by the new heights Hisense has summited. Our editor-at-large, Caleb Denison, was taken aback by the exceptional brightness levels the U8N was able to achieve in our hands-on review, to the point that he felt it wise to proclaim that the illumination is actually a little too intense when viewing HDR content.Thanks to its improved chipset, the U8N Series is able to deliver better overall brightness on top of vibrant colors and impressive contrast levels that rival the performance of some the best OLED TVs. And thanks to its top-notch reflection handling, the U8N can hang out in just about any brightly lit room.Theres a bit of trouble with the TVs off-angle viewing, which is an unfortunate malady of some LED LCDs. That being said, its best to watch this set as centered with the screen as possible.The U8N supports leading HDR formats like Dolby Vision, and thanks to HDMI 2.1 connectivity, game consoles and PCs run at lightning-fast speed when hooked up to Hisenses flagship. Expect minimal input lag, quick response times, and 4K/144Hz for max resolution/refresh rate performance.The U8N also uses the Google TV OS for smart TV content and other UI elements and has a 50W 2.1.2 speaker configuration that sounds a lot better than most TV speakers.Hisense U8N ULEDOur favorite TV for under $1,000TCLBest TCL for less than $1,000TCL QM7 Series (2024)ProsExcellent colors and contrastImpressive brightnessSolid gaming optimizationsGoogle TV is fast and intuitiveConsNot the best off-angle viewingDefault picture settings need some tweakingTCL is one of our favorite budget-friendly TV brands because the company puts just as much focus on picture and performance as it does value. New for 2024, the TCL QM7 Series sits one rung below the top TCL TV of the year, the QM8. And while both models are often on sale, youll likely have an easier time finding the QM7 for under $1,000 for larger screen options. Speaking of which, the QM7 is available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, and 98-inch sizes.Capable of dishing out up to 2,400 nits at peak brightness, the QM7 also delivers a wide color gamut and terrific black levels, thanks to TCLs AIPQ Pro processor and up to 1,500 dimming zones for specific sizes. The QM7 gets top marks for HDR support, as it is compatible with everything from Dolby Vision to HDR10+ and even comes with an IMAX Enhanced Certification. Considering how bright this QLED gets, it also does a fantastic job at performing in a brightly lit room.Gamers will love the QM7 for its VRR (variable refresh rate) support, HDMI 2.1 certification, 4K/144Hz performance, and the built-in Game Mode that optimizes picture settings for consoles and PCs. As for smart TV features, the TCL QM7 uses Google TV for all streaming functions, smart controls, and UI navigation. This version of the OS is zippier than ever and can be controlled via Google Assistant, Alexa, and even Apple HomeKit.TCL QM7 Series (2024)Best TCL for less than $1,000RelatedZeke Jones / Digital TrendsA runner-up Hisense for less than $1,000Hisense U7N ULEDHisense U7N ReviewProsHigh brightnessGreat contrastVivid colorSurprising accuracyGreat for gamingConsPoor off-angle viewingRisk of dirty screen effectOur resident TV man with a plan, Caleb Denison, had the unique fortune of testing out the Hisense U7N, and he walked away from the experience a pleased viewer.Illuminated by mini-LEDs and enhanced by quantum dots, the U7N manages to put out some chart-topping brightness. With brightness scoring in the 2,000-nit range for HDR highlights, the U7N should have no issues looking great in a brightly lit room. Well, save for the fact it doesnt have the greatest off-angle viewing. Unfortunately, this is the kind of LED-LCD malady we run into when spending less than $1,000.Hisenses Hi-View Engine PRO chipset brings the kind of picture processing to the table that other manufacturers should be taking notes from. From one frame to the next, the U7N keeps things sharp, colorful, and motion-optimized. Thanks to HDMI 2.1, VRR support, and 4K/144Hz, the U7N is an excellent TV for watching fast-action movies and playing video games. Theres even a PC/Game Mode for maximizing response times and reducing input lag for consoles and gaming PCs.Hisense U7N size options include 55-, 65-, 75-, and 85-inch models, and the Google TV OS handles all streaming features and smart TV controls. Wed also like to mention that the 40-watt speaker system isnt too shabby. While most folks will prefer a soundbar or surround sound configuration, the 2.1-channel audio of the U7N really does hold its own, especially in small to medium-sized viewing spaces.Hisense U7N ULEDA runner-up Hisense for less than $1,000Zeke Jones/Digital TrendsBest for Roku OS enthusiastsRoku Plus Series QLEDRoku Plus Series TV ReviewProsHigh brightnessBrilliant colorSnappy operationImpressive soundGreat remoteConsPoor off-angle performanceContrast suffers in high-brightness scenesSome motion blurRoku's TV OS is one of the go-to platforms for entertainment apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, and the company has been making exceptional streaming devices for almost two decades. Thus, it was only a matter of time before Roku decided to make its own TVs, and theyre sold exclusively through Best Buy.Enter the Roku 65-inch Plus Series QLED. As far as pros go, the Plus Series QLED delivers exceptional brightness and accurate colors, as well as some top-notch sound for the price. This latter feat is becoming increasingly difficult to satisfy without a soundbar, so the fact that Roku achieved a full and rich soundstage using just TV speakers is a big deal.What were not a fan of here is the 60Hz refresh rate. Thats the motion clarity cap on this model, and while stutter and blur are less evident on smaller screens, a 65-inch panel is going to have more trouble hiding these maladies. This is going to be a deal-breaker for some, and we totally get it, but for those who dont mind a little blur once in awhile, the Plus Series is still an exceptional choice for a large LED.Its also got four HDMI inputs, AirPlay 2 compatibility, and full-array backlighting, which means there are LEDs behind every square-inch of the screen, instead of just the edges.Roku Plus Series QLEDBest for Roku OS enthusiastsDigital TrendsAffordable with Amazon Fire TV baked inAmazon Fire TV Omni QLEDAmazon Fire TV Omni QLED ReviewProsExcellent Fire TV experienceGreat smart home hubAdequate picture performanceFun featuresConsLacks HDR punchPrice-to-picture performance ratio is offAmazons first-party TVs are pretty good when it comes to overall picture quality, but even better when it comes to saving you cash, and that's where the Fire TV Omni QLED comes in.Amazon has been making TVs for a few years now, and while theyre not the kinds of sets wed point all our friends toward, these Alexa-powered displays are great when funds are limited. But you know what? The 65-inch Omni QLED is actually pretty awesome all-around, and it costs far less than the average 65-inch LED at around $800.Perhaps the biggest win to write home about is that the Omni QLED supports each and every HDR format out there (Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, and HLG). So whether youre streaming your favorite movies from Netflix or popping in your 4K Blu-ray copy of Jurassic World: Dominion, the Omni QLED is equipped to push the kind of breathtaking brightness, colors, and contrast that one should expect from an HDR viewing. This Amazon Omni TV also has Amazon's Adaptive Brightness feature that, if utilized, actively measures the lighting in your room and optimizes the TVs brightness. It also features the Fire TV Ambient Experience that turns the TV into an art display when idle -- it can feature your photos, Alexa widgets, and more than 1,000 works of art.Omni also has Alexa built in, allowing you to control all the smart home devices in your house. Yes, the Omni QLED has a little bit of trouble with light blooming, and the refresh rate only tops out at 60Hz, but its going to be pretty difficult to score this insane of a deal for a screen as big, bright, and colorful as this one.Amazon Fire TV Omni QLEDAffordable with Amazon Fire TV baked inSamsungA budget-friendly Samsung QLEDSamsung Q60D QLEDProsDelivers a bright and colorful pictureVery low input lagComes in eight sizes ConsOnly a 60Hz refresh rateNo local dimming capabilitiesPicture processing could be betterWe get it: Sometimes, you just want to stick with a big, noteworthy brand when it comes to big-ticket tech items like TVs. This is why weve decided to include the Samsung Q60D on our list.At this point, the company has built up significant fanfare in the TV marketplace, and for a couple of reasons. Samsung TVs, including the Q60D, are known for their brightness, making them a great fit for various room lighting conditions. The Q60D, in particular, excels in brightly lit rooms, making it a versatile choice that accommodates different viewing environments.Unfortunately, the Q60D doesnt have local dimming, though, so its not uncommon for black levels to fade in brighter scenes during movies, shows, and video games. The Q60D is capped at 60Hz for its native refresh rate as well, which means it can display up to 60 frames per second. While this may not be the best choice for a die-hard gamer or sports fanatic who may prefer a higher refresh rate for smoother motion, the Q60D does manage to deliver low input lag and includes a built-in Game Mode.With the Q60D, you're not limited to a single size. In fact, youll have numerous size options to choose from, ranging from a compact 32 inches to a whopping 85 inches. This variety allows you to select the size that best fits your viewing space and preferences.Samsung Q60D QLEDA budget-friendly Samsung QLEDSonyAlso considerSony X80K LEDProsBright and colorful pictureSolid 4K upscalingGreat gaming optimizationsConsOnly 60Hz refresh rateNot the best HDR performanceSony is one of the top brands in the world of TVs, but theres usually quite a premium to pay if you want to own a Bravia mini LED or QD-OLED. Thats why were glad to draw attention to the Sony 65-inch X80K.Going back to basics, the X80K is a traditional LED-LCD built on the Google TV UI. While were not dealing with a fully backlit screen, the X80K can get plenty bright, and has a wide viewing angle. With the Cognitive Processor X1 and Triluminos Pro handling upscaling, colors, and contrast, the X80K is terrific at making older content look revamped.The TV does have a couple of flaws though. Because theres no local dimming to speak of, HDR dark scenes tend to look gray instead of black. The screen also isnt great for standing up against harsh sunlight, and theres no VRR support either.These few qualms aside though, the Sony 65-inch X80K delivers a solid picture for the price, and gets you a model from one of the most reliable brands in the business.Sony X80K LEDAlso considerWhat size TV can I afford for $1,000?You'll be able to find a TV as large as 75 inches for under $1,000. Can I get an OLED TV for less than $1,000?Yes, but very rarely with deals. OLED TV technology still is primarily available on high-end models that soar beyond the $1,000 mark. But we're starting to see some models dip below a grand. Do TVs under $1,000 work with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri?Using either Google Home, Fire TV, or an Amazon Echo, you can pair many modern TVs with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Many newer TVs have these options built-in, so you can use them without buying a separate appliance. Unfortunately, no current models of TVs have Siri built-in, so youll have to try a workaround. For example, TVs that support AirPlay 2and HomeKit let you control them by using Siri on an iOS device, such as an iPad, iPhone, iPod, and Mac. What outputs should TVs under $1,000 have?The No. 1 thing to consider is HDMI in terms of outputs and inputs. We recommend purchasing a TV with HDMI ARC or eARC, which means your TV audio can stream to an AV receiver or a soundbar. Every TV weve included on this list has at least one HDMI ARC port, and most have three total HDMI ports. This means youll have plenty of image and audio channels available to connect gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and set-top streaming devices to your system. Getting the latest generation of HDMI is also important for enabling the most recent visual/audio options. What is the best month to buy a TV?There are several times in the year that are good for buying a TV. Let's get the obvious out of the way Black Friday and the surrounding holidays tend to have the best deals for things like TVs, so November and December are clear choices. But if you missed a deal or it ran out of stock, these can also be annoying months to buy. We suggest also looking for deals in January when brands discount in preparation for the Super Bowl, and in April and May, when many TVs go on sale. Which TV brands last the longest?With proper care, TVs can last for many years. But Samsung and LG have particularly good reputations for durable TVs that can handle long-term use without developing annoying issues like damaged pixels, while still offering top-notch quality. Check out our excellent post on the best TV brands for more details. Editors Recommendations

As Trump efficiency czar, the billionaire is targeting employees by name on Xsparking pushback.

AWSs program aims to prepare customers for societys shift towards quantum computing. Shares of companies that operate in the field jumped following the announcement.

Commissioned to decorate a chateau, the artists 1877 painting is striking for the predominant position it gives to the birds as they peck at a grassy knoll.

A show with works by Francis Bacon, Mark Rothko, Max Beckmann and others takes an expansive view of the urban environment.

Op-ed The good, the bad, and the ugly behind the push for more smart displays Opinion: Apple could really change the game here. Scharon Harding Nov 22, 2024 5:40 pm | 38 Amazon's Echo Show 21. Credit: Amazon Amazon's Echo Show 21. Credit: Amazon Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreAfter a couple of years without much happening, smart displays are in the news again. Aside from smart TVs, consumer screens that connect to the Internet have never reached a mainstream audience. However, there seems to be a resurgence to make smart displays more popular. The approaches that some companies are taking are better than those of others, revealing a good, bad, and ugly side behind the push.Note that for this article, we'll exclude smart TVs when discussing smart displays. Unlike the majority of smart displays, smart TVs are mainstream tech. So for this piece, we'll mostly focus on devices like the Google Next Hub Max or Amazon Echo Show (as pictured above).The goodWhen it comes to emerging technology, a great gauge for whether innovation is happening is by measuring how much a product solves a real user problem. Products seeking a problem to solve or that are glorified vehicles for ads and tracking don't qualify.If reports that Apple is working on its first smart display are true, there may be potential for it to solve the problem of managing multiple smart home devices from different companies.Apple has declined to comment on reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman of an Apple smart display under development. But Gurman recently claimed that the display will be able to be mounted on walls and "use AI to navigate apps. Gurman said that it would incorporate Apple's smart home framework HomeKit, which supports "hundreds of accessories" and can control third-party devices, like smart security cameras, thermostats, and lights. Per the November 12 report:The product will be marketed as a way to control home appliances, chat with Siri, and hold intercom sessions via Apples FaceTime software. It will also be loaded with Apple apps, including ones for web browsing, listening to news updates and playing music. Users will be able to access their notes and calendar information, and the device can turn into a slideshow display for their photos.If released, the devicesaid to be shaped like a 6-inch iPhonewould compete with the Nest Hub and Echo Show. Apple entering the smart display business could bring a heightened focus on privacy and push other companies to make privacy a bigger focus, too. Apple has already given us a peek at how it might handle smart home privacy with the HomePod. "All communication between HomePod and Apple servers is encrypted, and anonymous IDs protect your identity," Apple's HomePod privacy policy states.Apple's supposed smart display would also likely, and hopefully, leverage HomeKit Secure Video, which has already been adopted by non-Apple smart products and "ensures that activity detected by your security cameras is analyzed and encrypted by your Apple devices at home before being securely stored in iCloud," per Apple. This could help address concerns around the security of things like managing footage from smart doorbells.Looking further ahead, I'm curious how an Apple smart display could impact Google's efforts here. Google hasn't released a new smart home display since 2019's Nest Hub Max. And with voice assistants like Google Assistant losing popularity, Google has seemed more interested in Pixel Tablets lately than smart displays. Recent sleuthing, however, has spotted code pointing to a new Nest Hub Max amid suspicion that Google is canceling future Pixel Tablets.If Apple put out its own smart home display, how might Google respond? And how might generative AI impact interest or final products from either side? Surely, the Nest Hub Max isn't where smart home hubs max out. The badOver the past couple of years, we've seen more web-connected desktop monitors released. Some were driven by the growth of videoconferences boosted by the pandemic. Others are more about providing access to common consumer apps, like Netflix, without needing to connect to a personal system. Neither gives me enough reason to put another device on my network.Smart monitors for videoconferencing could be useful for workplaces or for someone less technically inclined to see loved ones. But for most, a monitor dedicated to web calls isn't practical or necessary. The demise of devices like the Facebook Portal and Lenovo ThinkSmart View Plus (which Lenovo is no longer selling) support that view.Meanwhile, smart monitors like Samsung's M-series or LG's MyView-series have the same ads and privacy concerns as smart TVs. As we've discussed at Ars before, smart TVs are increasingly used to push ads and track users, giving TV operating system (OS) owners, such as LG and Samsung, an alternative revenue stream from hardware sales. LG has a whole lineup of smart monitors like this one. Credit: LG Samsung and LG smart monitors use the same OSes as their respective smart TVs. LG and Samsung TVs are better at keeping ads to a respectable minimum than other, often cheaper, TVs. However, LG and Samsung have been seeking ways to grow their ad businesses.For the most part, smart monitors don't seem to fill a gap in demand like a well-executed, privacy-focused smart home hub might.Interest in tracking users and selling ads via TVs is what has caused dumb TVs to be exceptionally hard to find. I'd hate for dumb monitors to be elusive one day, too.The uglyAmazon markets its Echo Show displays as hubs for managing smart homes, calendars, and shopping lists. However, Amazon doesn't have a good reputation for maintaining user privacy. And with Amazon under pressure to make Alexa financially successful, it wouldn't surprise if more ads or subscription fees were eventually forced on Echo Show owners.This week, Amazon announced the Echo Show 21, its biggest smart display yet. The bigger size makes the device more appropriate for watching stuff on platforms like Netflix and (as Amazon would love) Amazon Prime Video. Since Amazon owns the Echo Show OS, it could track user habits to fuel its ad business to generate insight for its businesses. Additionally, Echo Shows encourage tasks like researching and saving recipes and making shopping and to-do listsall representing e-commerce opportunities for Amazon. Amazon can use its smart display to track streaming habits. Credit: Amazon Amazon can use its smart display to track streaming habits. Credit: Amazon Amazon says it doesn't sell customer data, but it also says it may use user data for targeted ads, to inform its own business decisions, and to share non-user-specific trends with third parties.Amazon has also been building a generative AI version of Alexa that is expected to require a subscription fee and seek more user information. However, Amazon hasn't done much to make Alexa easier to trust. As I wrote when Amazon first demoed gen AI Alexa:The use of visual IDs to enable using Alexa without a wake word heightens the dependence on cameras and microphones, yet Amazon hasn't disclosed any revamped approaches to customer privacy. The company was previously caughtkeeping recordings, includingchildren's, forever, and Amazon workers have been caughtlistening to Alexa audioandspying on Ring users. Alexa audio has even beenused in criminal trials. Amazon says it doesn't send images or videos to the cloud and emphasizes Echo Show devices' microphone/camera off button and integrated physical camera shutter.The free version of Alexa is expected to stay available when the generative AI alternative releases. But it remains possible that Amazon could eventually lock feature features behind a paywall or remove them.Smart displays pushWith smart home enthusiasts more excited than ever about Matter and with smart display talk already on the rise, I'm expecting more discussion around what makes a good, bad, or ugly smart display in 2025.As tech companies push these devices out, Ars will focus on whether those devices are solving problems and if they're doing so with privacy and other user needs at the forefront. Smart displays built around company needs rather than users' will see limited interest from technologists.Scharon HardingSenior Product ReviewerScharon HardingSenior Product Reviewer Scharon is Ars Technicas Senior Product Reviewer writing news, reviews, and analysis on consumer technology, including laptops, mechanical keyboards, and monitors. Shes based in Brooklyn. 38 Comments Prev story

The Grants They Are A-Changin' Ted Cruz wants to overhaul $42B broadband program, nix low-cost requirement Cruz claims grant program is "boondoggle," urges Biden admin to halt activities. Jon Brodkin Nov 22, 2024 4:31 pm | 63 After winning reelection, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) speaks to a crowd at an election watch party on November 5, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Credit: Getty Images | Danielle Villasana After winning reelection, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) speaks to a crowd at an election watch party on November 5, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Credit: Getty Images | Danielle Villasana Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreEmboldened by Donald Trump's election win, Republicans are seeking big changes to a $42.45 billion broadband deployment program. Their plan could delay distribution of government funding and remove or relax a requirement that ISPs accepting subsidies must offer low-cost Internet plans.US Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today issued a press release titled, "Sen. Cruz Warns Biden-Harris NTIA: Big Changes Ahead for Multi-Billion-Dollar Broadband Boondoggle." Cruz, who will soon be chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, is angry about how the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has implemented the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program that was created by Congress in November 2021.The NTIA announced this week that it has approved the funding plans submitted by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five US territories, which are slated to receive federal money and dole it out to broadband providers for network expansions. Texas was the last state to gain approval in what the NTIA called "a major milestone on the road to connecting everyone in America to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service."Republicans including Cruz and incoming Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr have criticized the NTIA for not distributing the money faster. But Cruz's promise of a revamp creates uncertainty about the distribution of funds. Cruz sent a letter yesterday to NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson in which he asked the agency to halt the program rollout until Trump takes over. Cruz also accused the NTIA of "technology bias" because the agency decided that fiber networks should be prioritized over other types of technology.Cruz: Stop what youre doing"It is incumbent on you to bear these upcoming changes in mind during this transition term," Cruz wrote. "I therefore urge the NTIA to pause unlawful, extraneous BEAD activities and avoid locking states into in [sic] any final actions until you provide a detailed, transparent response to my original inquiry and take immediate, measurable steps to address these issues."An NTIA spokesperson told Ars today that the agency received Cruz's letter and is reviewing it. The NTIA's update on the BEAD program earlier this week said the state approvals show that "all 56 states and territories are taking the next steps to request access to their allocated BEAD funding and select the providers who will build and upgrade the high-speed Internet networks of the future."Cruz's letter alleged that the agency "repeatedly ignored the text of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" when designing the BEAD program. "This past August, I sent you an inquiry regarding NTIA's decision to hoard nearly $1 billion in BEAD funding to build a central planning bureaucracy that proceeded to impose extraneous mandates on the states and prevent the expeditious delivery of Internet access to unserved communities," Cruz wrote. "Instead of working to reverse course on the botched BEAD program, your agency responded by doubling down on its extralegal requirements and evading congressional inquiries."Cruz said he "will monitor this matter" as Commerce Committee chairman. "Fortunately, as President-elect Trump has already signaled, substantial changes are on the horizon for this program," Cruz wrote. "With anticipated new leadership at both NTIA and in Congress, the BEAD program will soon be 'unburdened by what has been' and states will no longer be subject to the unlawful and onerous bureaucratic obstacles imposed by the Biden-Harris NTIA."GOP mad about low-cost plan ruleAs we wrote in July, Republicans are angry at the NTIA over its enforcement of the requirement that subsidized ISPs offer a low-cost plan. The NTIA countered that it followed the law written by Congress. The US law that ordered NTIA to stand up the program requires that Internet providers receiving federal funds offer at least one "low-cost broadband service option for eligible subscribers."The law also says the NTIA may not "regulate the rates charged for broadband service," and Republicans claim the NTIA is violating this restriction. A July 23 letter sent by over 30 broadband industry trade groups also alleged that the administration is illegally regulating broadband prices. ISPs pointed to NTIA guidance that "strongly encouraged" states to set a fixed rate of $30 per month for the low-cost service option."The statute requires that there be a low-cost service option," Davidson reportedly said at a congressional hearing in May. "We do not believe the states are regulating rates here. We believe that this is a condition to get a federal grant. Nobody's requiring a service provider to follow these rates, people do not have to participate in the program."With Republicans gaining full control of Congress, they could amend the law to require changes. The Trump administration could also make changes on its own after new leadership at the NTIA is in place.Cruz's letter referenced plans to eliminate the "rate regulation" and other requirements set by the Biden administration. That includes what Cruz called "extreme technology bias" in reference to the NTIA's preference for fiber broadband projects instead of other kinds of networks like cable, wireless, or satellite.Cruz wrote:Congress will review the BEAD program early next year, with specific attention to NTIA's extreme technology bias in defining "priority broadband projects" and "reliable broadband service"; imposition of statutorily-prohibited rate regulation; unionized workforce and DEI labor requirements; climate change assessments; excessive per-location costs; and other central planning mandates. In turn, states will be able to expand connectivity on terms that meet the real needs of their communities, without irrelevant requirements that tie up resources, create confusion, and slow deployment.Cruz alleges race-based discriminationWhile the FCC is not administering the BEAD program, Carr took aim at it today in a post on X. "VP Harris led the $42 billion program for expanding Internet infrastructure into a thicket of red tape and saddled it with progressive policy goals that have nothing to do with quickly connecting Americans," Carr wrote.Cruz separately sent another letter to the NTIA yesterday criticizing its plan for distributing $1.25 billion from the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. Cruz claimed that the NTIA's consideration of race when issuing grants violates the Fifth Amendment, writing that the "federal government is forbidden from engaging in impermissible race-based discrimination under the equal protection component of the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause."The nonprofit Benton Institute for Broadband & Society urged the NTIA to stay the course. In a press release, the Benton Institute said the NTIA is following the law:The primary problem that Senator Cruz identifies in his letter is that the NTIA's notice of funding opportunity incorporates "covered populations" language which includes "individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group." But it was Congress, in its wisdom, that defined the covered populations the Digital Equity Act programs are designed to addressincluding "individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group." In fact, the law goes further to define covered populations to include low-income people, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and rural Americans (among others) and outlines the critical steps that NTIA must follow to advance digital literacy and improve internet adoption.It's the lawand NTIA is merely following the law as Congress intended.Jon BrodkinSenior IT ReporterJon BrodkinSenior IT Reporter Jon is a Senior IT Reporter for Ars Technica. He covers the telecom industry, Federal Communications Commission rulemakings, broadband consumer affairs, court cases, and government regulation of the tech industry. 63 Comments

Brandon Taylor, Digital Editorial Program ManagerNovember 22, 20245 Min ViewAs artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance and be adopted at a blistering pace, there are many ways AI systems can be vulnerable to attacks. Whether being fed malicious data that enables incorrect decisions or being hacked to gain access to sensitive data and more, there are no shortage of challenges in this growing landscape.Today, it's more vital than ever to consider taking steps to ensure that generative AI models, applications, data, and infrastructure are protected.In this archived panel discussion, Sara Peters (upper left in video), InformationWeeks editor-in-chief; Anton Chuvakin (upper right), senior staff security consultant, office of the CISO, for Google Cloud; and Manoj Saxena (lower middle), CEO and executive chairman of Trustwise AI, came together to discuss the importance of applying rigorous security to AI systems.This segment was part of our live virtual event titled, State of AI in Cybersecurity: Beyond the Hype. The event was presented by InformationWeek and Dark Reading on October 30, 2024.A transcript of the video follows below. Minor edits have been made for clarity.Sara Peters: All right, so let's start here. The topic is securing AI systems, and that can mean a lot of different things. It can mean cleaning up the data quality of the model training data or finding vulnerable code in the AI models.Related:It can also mean detecting hallucinations, avoiding IP leaks through generative AI prompts, detecting cyber-attacks, or avoiding network overloads. It can be a million different things. So, when I say securing AI systems, what does that mean to you?What are the biggest security risks or threats that we need to be thinking about right now? Manoj, I'll send that to you first.Manoj Saxena: Sure, again, thanks for having me on here. Securing AI broadly, I think, means taking a proactive approach not only to the outside-in view of security, but also the inside-out view of security. Because what we're entering is this new world that I call prompt to x. Today, it's prompt to intelligence.Tomorrow, it will be prompt to action through an agent. The day after tomorrow, it will be prompt to autonomy, where you will tell an agent to take over a process. So, what we are going to see in terms of securing AI are the external vectors that are going to be coming into your data, applications and networks.They're going to get amplified because of AI. People will start using AI to create new threat vectors outside-in, but also, there will be a tremendous number of inside-out threat vectors that will be going out.Related:This could be a result of employees not knowing how to use the system properly, or the prompts may end up creating new security risks like sensitive data leakage, harmful outputs or hallucinated output. So, in this environment, securing AI would mean proactively securing outside-in threats as well as inside-out threats.Anton Chauvkin: So, to add to this, we build a lot of structure around this. So, I will try to answer without disagreeing with Manoj, but by adding some structure. Sometimes I joke that it's my 3am answer if somebody says, Anton secure AI! What do you mean by this? I'll probably go to the model that we built.Of course, that's part of our safe, secure AI framework approach. When I think about securing AI, I think about models, applications, infrastructure and data. Unfortunately, it's not an acronym, because the acronym would be MADE, and it'll be really strange.But after somebody said it's not an acronym, obviously, everybody immediately thought it's an acronym. The more serious take on this is that if I say securing AI, I think about securing the model, the applications around it, the infrastructure under it, and the data inside it.I probably won't miss anything that's within the cybersecurity domain, if I think about these four buckets. Ultimately, I've seen a lot of people who obsess about one, and all sorts of hilarious and sometimes sad results happen. So, for example, I go and say the model is the most important, and I double down on prompt injection.Related:Then, SQL injection into my application kills me. If I don't want to do it in the cloud for some reason, and I try to do it on premise, my infrastructure is let go. My model is fine, my application is great, but my infrastructure is let go. So, ultimately, these four things are where my mind goes when I think about securing AI systems.MS: Can I just add to that? I think that's a good way to look at the stack and the framework. I would add one more piece to it, which is around the notion of securing the prompts. This is prompt security and filtering, prompt defense against adversarial attacks, as well as real time prompt validation.You're going to be securing the prompt itself. Where do you think that fits in?AC: We always include it in the model, because ultimately, the prompt issues to us are AI specific issues. Nothing in the application infrastructure data is AI specific, because these exist, obviously, for non-applications. For us, when we talk about prompt, it always sits inside the M part of the model.SP: So, Google's secure AI framework is something that we can all look for and read. It's a thorough and interesting read, and I recommend to our audience to do that later. But you guys have just covered a wide variety of different things already when I asked the first question.So, if I'm a CIO or a CISO, what should I be evaluating? How do I evaluate the security of a new AI tool during the procurement phase when you have just given me all these different things to try to evaluate? Anton, why don't you start with that one?Watch the archived State of AI in Cybersecurity: Beyond the Hype live virtual event on-demand today.About the AuthorBrandon TaylorDigital Editorial Program ManagerBrandon Taylor enables successful delivery of sponsored content programs across Enterprise IT media brands: Data Center Knowledge, InformationWeek, ITPro Today and Network Computing.See more from Brandon TaylorNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeReportsMore Reports

John Edwards, Technology Journalist & AuthorNovember 22, 20245 Min ReadAlessandro Grandini via Alamy Stock PhotoAIrevolutionizes just about everything. Photography is no exception.AI is a powerful tool, says Conor Gay, vice president of business operations at MarathonFoto, a firm specializing in marathon race photography. When used appropriately, it can enhance great photography and create incredible designs, he explains in an email interview. "When used carelessly, it can cause confusion, misinformation, or just plain ruin a photo."AI helps photographers realize a creative vision, observes John McNeil, founder and CEO of John McNeil Studio, a San Francisco-area based creative firm. "It's an incredibly powerful tool, helping even less-than-professional photographers create more professional images," he notes in an online interview. "Features such as exposure correction, auto enhance, and auto skin tone, allow just about anyone to take great pictures."Johnny Wolf, founder and lead photographer at Johnny Wolf Studio, a New York-based corporate photography studio, says that AI allows him to explore complex concepts in pre-production and create realistic mockups for client approval, all without even having to touch a camera. "It gives me the ability to quickly test and iterate on ideas without having to invest time and resources," he explains via email. "This results in a more focused discovery phase with clients and leads to fewer revisions during the editing process."Related:Efficiency and QualityAI tools enable greater efficiency and higher quality when capturing images, automatically detecting subjects, optimizing an image at the moment it's taken, says Chris Zacharias, founder and CEO of visual image studio Imgix. AI tools can identify subjects and objects within an image to allow greater precision in editing," he notes in an email interview. "We can remove unwanted elements or introduce new ones into a photograph in pursuit of a creative vision."Wolf says that AI's greatest impact has been automating the mundane. "Basic tasks, like whitening a subject's teeth, or cloning-out distracting background elements, used to involve a time-consuming masking process, which can now be done with one click," he explains. "With AI handling the drudgery of post-production, I'm free to dedicate more time and energy into creative exploration, improving my craft and delivering a more personalized and impactful final product."AI has allowed us to identify images faster and more accurately than ever before, Gay says. "In the past two years, we've been able to get more images into runners' galleries, typically within 24 hours of their finish," he notes. "AI has also allowed us to capture more unique shots and angles."Related:Gay adds that AI can also capture relevant photo data that can be used by race partners and sponsors. "We're now able to identify sponsor-branding that appears in our photos, and even capture data around apparel and footwear." The technology is also used to enhance images. "We see different weather and lighting conditions throughout the day," he notes. "AI allows us to enhance these images to their highest quality."AI's power, control, flexibility, and possibilities are absolutely incredible, McNeil states. "Photoshop was a game changer 30 years ago, and in less than three years, AI makes things like histograms and layers seem positively quaint."The DownsideAI's ethical implications are significant, and will require discussion, consideration, and action by a wide range of stakeholders and organizations, Zacharias says. "There's much to consider, and the impacts are already being felt."Maintaining authenticity is a top concern, Gay says. "Especially in our industry, runners work tirelessly to complete their races," he notes. "The idea of someone being able to create a fake finish line moment with AI discredits the hard work each athlete puts into their race." Gay says his goal is to document runners' journeys on race day and to be as accurate as possible.Related:McNeil worries that there may now be too much reliance on AI. "The term 'well fix it in post' used to be a lazy joke people would make on set," he says. "Today, it's literally the process." Yet such an attitude can lead to images that are poorly crafted, uninventive, and looking like they were generated by AI. "Ultimately, as creative people and artists, we need to be more critical about the work we're putting into the world."While photo manipulation is nothing new, AI's ability to instantly generate photography that's indistinguishable from reality has led to a frightening inflection point, Wolf warns. "Anyone with an agenda and a web browser can now create and disseminate AI-generated propaganda as a real-time response to events," he explains. "If society can no longer trust photos as evidence of truth, we'll retreat further into our echo chambers and consume content that has been generated to reinforce our views."Looking ForwardArtists have always adapted and leveraged new tools and technologies to create novel forms of self-expression, Zacharias says. "The coming years will see a lot of discussion about what is real or authentic," he notes. "At the end of the day, AI is and will continue to be a tool, and it is we humans who will define what the soul of the medium is."About the AuthorJohn EdwardsTechnology Journalist & AuthorJohn Edwards is a veteran business technology journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous business and technology publications, including Computerworld, CFO Magazine, IBM Data Management Magazine, RFID Journal, and Electronic Design. He has also written columns for The Economist's Business Intelligence Unit and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Communications Direct. John has authored several books on business technology topics. His work began appearing online as early as 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he wrote daily news and feature articles for both the CompuServe and Prodigy online services. His "Behind the Screens" commentaries made him the world's first known professional blogger.See more from John EdwardsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeReportsMore Reports

Satellite image showing channels that formed part of an ancient fishery, and Mayan sites nearbyGoogle EarthArchaeologists have discovered a massive network of ancient fisheries in Belize constructed by hunter-gatherers some 4000 years ago.The system of earthen channels exceeds 640 kilometres in length and dates to the Archaic Period, which preceded the emergence of Maya civilisation centuries later. It is the oldest large-scale fish-trapping facility ever recorded in Central America.We were all expecting it to date to a period of sedentary Maya civilisation, says Eleanor Harrison-Buck